The Top Five Degrees to Advance Your Corporate Career.

Whether you have just entered the corporate world or you’ve been there for years, you would like to move up the corporate ladder. While hard work and dedication is helpful, advancing your education is the best way to grow. It will open up new opportunities within your current company and make you eligible for positions at other organizations. If you’re ready to put in the time and effort required to advance your career, it’s time to consider earning an advanced degree.

Earn a Master’s Degree

Returning to school for a second bachelor’s degree, or advancing to the doctorial level, can sometimes be appropriate for advancing your career; however, the most commonly desired degrees are at the master’s level. This is primarily due to the emphasis on imparting real-world skills that employees can readily utilize. When an employer hires a candidate with a master’s degree, they know the candidate will require minimal training. Investing in a master’s degree is a relatively quick way to strengthen your credentials and be eligible for advancement opportunities.

Master’s Degrees Worth Your Time and Money

The following five degrees are highly in demand by a variety of employers across many industries. Pursuing any one of these degrees will help you advance your corporate career.

Master’s in Project Management. This credential prepares graduates for a career as a project manager. There are many types of project managers: construction managers, software design managers and marketing project managers. They all share the common responsibilities of managing the requirements, development and completion of a project. Pursuing a masters in project management will allow you to enter this growing and varied field.

See special instructions on how to get your Master’s in Business Administration. An MBA imparts the required skills to become an effective manager or executive. Graduates will understand the entire scope of managerial operations within organizations of all sizes. The Department of Labor states that careers requiring an MBA are expected to grow 15 to 23 percent between 2010 and 2020.

Master’s of Corporate Communication. Communication is the lifeblood of every corporation. The company must be able to effectively communicate with every department and employee. Each program will vary by university; however, graduates are typically trained in: organizational behavior, issues management, crisis communication, employee communication and public affairs. Earning this degree will allow you to enter communications, marketing or management roles.

Master’s of Human Resources. Every corporate employee is familiar with the human resources department. They are responsible for conflict resolution, benefits administration and ongoing training. Earning a masters degree in human resources will allow you to enter this essential department. Every organization has a human resources department; earning this degree will allow you to move to another company or grow with your current employer. The Department of Labor projects human resources to grow by 21 percent between 2010 and 2020, making this degree ideal for job security.

Master’s of Science in information Technology. Technology has become undeniably integrated with every aspect of the corporate world. According to the United States Department of Labor, roles within the technical field are expected to see 20- to 30-percent job growth from 2010 to 2020. Beyond strictly technical fields, having technical credentials helps you stand out from other candidates for a promotion. Technical skills indicate that you are capable of logical analysis and integrating technological advancements with the position’s responsibilities.

Enroll Now, Advance Later

Most employees want to earn a promotion as quickly as possible. While you may be able to climb a few rungs with hard work, it takes a significant investment in yourself to reach the top of the corporate ladder. You must develop yourself as a valuable asset, cultivate desired skills, and have the right credentials.

Enroll in any one of the above degrees to create an advancement-filled career. It may not result in an immediate promotion; however, it will qualify you for advanced positions within your current organization or with another employer.

About the Author: Allen Brodie is a contributing writer and corporate executive. He is regularly asked how he got to his current position. Allen always replies with a single word: education.